In the News

In today’s Congressional Corner, Massachusetts Democrat Richard Neal of the 1st district speaks with WAMC’s Alan Chartock. This interview with was recorded May 21. Part 1: HERE Part 2: HERE Part 3: HERE.  ## Read more »

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A total of $89,998,914 in emergency funding under the American Rescue Plan will be split between twelve local colleges and universities, Congressman Richard Neal announced Tuesday. The emergency funding will help schools deal with the sever financial fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. At least half of the funding will be sent in the form of emergency… Read more »

Three Berkshire County colleges will receive millions of dollars in emergency money through the American Rescue Plan, U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal announced Tuesday.  Berkshire County Community College and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts are each slated to get just under $4 million, while Williams College will receive about $4.2 million. The money will help the colleges cope with… Read more »

SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -- Western Mass News is getting answers for college students in need. Schools in the region will receive nearly $90 million in emergency funding as part of the American Rescue Plan. Western Mass News spoke with two local universities on how they plan to use the money. Schools receiving this funding will divide the money between helping students directly… Read more »

SPRINGFIELD — The American Rescue Plan includes nearly $90 million for colleges, universities and community colleges in Massachusetts’ First Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal announced Tuesday. The funding included in the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan COVID relief package is meant to help institutions cope with the severe financial fallout from… Read more »

SPRINGFIELD – A new study concludes the return on investment on east-west passenger rail would be $10 for every dollar spent on the development of the new service. The study by the Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG) – in consultation with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC)  – was released on May 6. The study furthered reported a direct link… Read more »

A report released this week by two regional planning agencies makes a business case for proposed passenger rail improvements in Massachusetts and Connecticut. An analysis projects that by making upgrades to the Hartford Line and building east-west rail in Massachusetts, the metro Hartford-Springfield area would gain 20,000-40,000 professional jobs over 30 years with a corresponding… Read more »

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) –  Congressman Richard Neal announces the findings of a report on the Economic Benefits of Regional Rail Investment in Metro Hartford-Springfield Thursday afternoon. Congressmen Richard Neal joined with John B. Larson (CT-01), and the heads of the two agencies at Springfield Union Station announced the new report showing nearly 10 to 1 economic… Read more »

U.S. Reps. Richard Neal of Springfield and John Larson of East Hartford made the case Thursday for an investment of between $6.7 billion and $9.7 billion in the infrastructure needed for regional rail service that could link Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Hartford and New Haven to New York City and beyond. The Interstate 91 corridor congressmen are touting the findings of a new… Read more »

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield/Hartford area has missed out on 130,000 new jobs since 1990, jobs that could have come here if the region had the commuter rail service enjoyed by other East Coast cities. “That’s the major differentiating factor, the availability of rail,” said Jessica Jones, senior analyst for the engineering firm AECOM. Improving rail service from… Read more »